Based on some reviews in the Jan. issue by Kal Rubinson I thought I'd give some Blu Ray "music only" discs a try.

I have a decent multi-channel setup with a Marantz amp, Epos M12.2s for front channels, an Epos ELS center channel, and OK sub and rear side and back channels by Cambridge Soundworks. It's set up for as good as home theater as I can afford, and it's been a good second system for parties and just hanging out with an iPod as a source (soon to have a Wadia dock feeding the Marantz's excellent DAC). Anyway, I got a Blu Ray player recently and was curious when I read that HD music discs were starting to appear, especially one's recorded specifically for high definition multichannel sound. The Blu Ray spec. calls for the ability to stream up to 7 channels of fully uncompressed digital sound (at least CD quality, but maybe better). BTW- this not the new Blu Ray CD that is coming out, which is basically a better made Redbook CD. What I am refering to is a Blu Ray multichannel music DVD.

So far I got a Mozart piano concerto with small symphony and it sounded pretty nice I have to say. Not looking to switch from my analogue-centric system by a long shot, but for this type of recording/space, it did give something extra to have the kind of spacial presentation and ambiance a 7.1 system can do. It had a nice punch to it with all those speakers working in unison when the whole symphony kicked in and definitely made me think twice about what multichannel could be for music.

The cool thing is that since the hardware is for actually for movies I'm not having to invest in a niche market trend; it's more a side bonus. I'd certainly venture to guess if you put serious full range speakers up front and very high quality book shelf monitors in the surround channels you could have quite a compelling argument.

But again- this recording was MADE for this purpose. No way would I put on a stereo recording and have my processor fake it- that way just does nothing but screw things up. No matter what I've tried for various music processing it never sounds right and I always go back to direct stereo mode and the front two speakers (even if it's for parties or whatever).

Anyway- I DO see a little of what Kal has been talking about all this time, and thought I'd throw out my perspective. Amazon a listing of the some of the available discs: BluRay Music discs

db, Thanks for the report. All Blu-Ray music discs should potentially sound better than redbook cd, since they are a higher resolution than than DVD-A or DSD. I always hoped that DVD-A would catch on, but the need to navigate with a video source has put a lot of people off- too bad. The music rewards are greater than the hassle, IMO. I'm using stand mounted "surround" speakers that match my floor standers and large center up front and orchestral and rock dynamics can get pretty hair-raising (in a good way). Your system sounds like it's doing a great job with this format. You don't have to apologize for straying from analog. It's not like you're cheating on your wife!

Hmmm....I am going to have to try this. I've got a pretty nice HDTV system setup with Era Design 4 speakers and D4 LCR, and like the OP, Cambridge Soundworks Ensembles for the back (the Henry Kloss-designed ones). In fact, I could go 7.1 and use the Era 4s for L/R sides, and CS Ensembles for L/R rears, and the Dynaudios for L/R front. Might be a fun setup to experiment with. The Arcam is one of the more musical AVRs out there, from what I understand, too.

" You don't have to apologize for straying from analog. It's not like you're cheating on your wife!"

Heh- good one. Sometimes it feels like music and all you put into it is indeed a demanding lover. Wouldn't want to get "her" jealous. Seriously though- you're right, it's really just about having some fun and trying something new.

You read my mind! I was going to ask if Jason had tried the Rene Jacobs Blu Ray...

Jason has neither surround sound nor blu-ray. Hey, we don't even have cable TV. In fact, our TV is a big heavy 26" Proton, antiquated by modern standards. It's shameful, I admit, although I have yet to lose sleep over it. I'm looking forward to eventually having a better TV and blu-ray. But not tomorrow...

I do have the Jacobs recording on CD, though I've never had time to listen to more than an excerpt or two. As far as I recall, not all the cast members are the same on the DVD. The Colin Davis Flute I've seen and reviewed.

It had a nice punch to it with all those speaker working in unison when onthebroadway the whole piece of music kicked in and definitely made me think twice regarding what multichannel could be for music.

I was reading the post regarding Kal Rubinson's attempts to get people to preview blue ray music. I did notice some incorrect information, the po mentioned resolution higher than dvd audio, fact is it's equal to dvd audio, with 48k/24bit, up to 96/24 and some stereo is higher, as in dvd audio.

regarding lists, one should realize it's a new format and with new releases all the time lists will be compiled. I'm sure someone is working on that now. 7.1 is good as 5.1. no worries there. As an avid HR music lover, I can tell you it's well worth a trip to amazon, and try one of your choice.

I suggest the Roy Orbison show, as it's multi-channel 96/24. There are some music only blue rays being done also with Pink Floyd's Darl Side of The Moon, and Wish You were here, both 96/24 High resolution. With nothing additional to invest in, pop one in, and at least listen for your own self. You'll see what all the intrest is about, I'm confident! Just Take Kal's advice.

Created from studio master recordings at a minimum of 24bit/96kHz standard, the discs are encoded in three ultra high-quality lossless formats: uncompressed PCM, DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD.

Compatibility with any existing Blu-ray player or PS3 obviously gives HFPA an advantage over previous high-definition standards such as SACD. In addition, most discs will include the option to download the same content as either MP3 or FLAC lossless files - this allows the music to be enjoyed across virtually all platforms and players.

According to Singulus Technologies AG, Blu-ray is being adopted faster than the DVD format was at a similar period in its development.

This conclusion was based on the fact that Singulus Technologies has received orders for 21 Blu-ray dual-layer machines during the first quarter of 2008, while 17 DVD machines of this type were made in the same period in 1997. According to GfK Retail and Technology, in the first week of November 2008, sales of Blu-ray recorders surpassed DVD recorders in Japan.

The first mass-market Blu-ray Disc rewritable drive for the PC was the BWU-100A, released by Sony on July 18, 2006. It recorded both single and dual-layer BD-Rs as well as BD-REs and had a suggested retail price of US $699.